Dhanbad – Following the tragic incident of a coal mine collapse in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, the administration has taken swift action by establishing a committee to investigate the matter. The two-member probe committee comprises Abhishek Kumar, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sindri, and Parmesh Kushwaha, Circle Officer (CO) of Jharia. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandip Singh has instructed the committee to submit its report within 24 hours.
The incident occurred at the Bhowra colliery area owned by Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), where three individuals lost their lives when a portion of the mine’s roof collapsed. The victims were identified as Jitendra (16), Satyendra (22), and Madan (25). The Deputy Commissioner has also sought a report from BCCL and warned of action against any outsourcing company found responsible for negligence.
BCCL’s General Manager, SS Das, acknowledged the presence of unauthorised individuals engaging in illegal mining despite the ban on entry into the mining area. He emphasised that the investigation report would guide further actions. The rescue operation was suspended after no trapped individuals were discovered upon debris removal.
MLA Purnima Neeraj Singh of Jharia raised concerns over the incident, alleging a history of illegal mining and violations of mining norms. Singh criticised the need for action taken by BCCL despite being alerted about the potential risks associated with illegal activities. The investigation will shed light on the circumstances leading to the collapse, and appropriate measures will be taken based on its findings.
This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to curb illegal mining activities and ensure the safety of workers in the mining industry.
This incident occurred when a section of the roof in the Bhowra colliery area of BCCL collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives. The committee’s thorough investigation and subsequent actions will be vital in preventing such tragedies in the future.